Luke stood on the balcony and breathed in the intoxicating tropical air. He was far away from work, from the kids, from Amber. He was alone. Just like he always wanted to be.

He walked back into the hotel room and thought about the little soaps in the bathroom that were shaped like seashells. He wondered if you could eat them like candy, since that's what they looked like. He ruffled his thinning hair and chuckled to himself. Then he picked up the rope and stepped up on the chair.

He hoped the ceiling fan would be strong enough. He thought of Amber's accusing eyes, of his kids in front of their X-box with their mouths hanging open, catching flies. He thought of his mother, of the hotel maid. Then he jumped. And then he was finally in paradise.